Folding table



(No Model.)

J. BANNER.

FOLDING TABLE.

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN DANNER, OF CANTON, OHIO.

FOLDING TABLE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 317,097, dated May 5, 1885.

Application filed February 9, 1885.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it knownthat I, JOHN BANNER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Canton, in the county of Stark and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Folding Tables, of which the following is a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawings. Y

The object of my invention is to construct a folding table which shall combine firmness and rigidity with simplicity of construction, which can be easily and quickly set up and folded, and which when folded shall occupy as little space as possible; and it consists in the manner in which the legs are attached to the table-top and held in position when in use,4

or when closed and ready for transportation or storage. l

The invention will be hereinafter described, and specifically set-forth in the claims. Figure 1 is a perspective view showing the under side of my improved table with one of the side rails extended out. Fig. 2 is a bottom view of the same, with its legs folded one above the other and fastened ready -for shipping. Fig. 3 is a modification of Fig. 2, showing the legs in an upright position, and also folded one pair alongside the other in dotted lines.

In the drawings, A represents the table-top, which can be made of two or more boards of any desired length, held together and kept from warping by means of cleats A', located adjacent to the two ends thereof and extending across the under side of the table, and may act partly as braces for the legs B when they are unfolded or in position for use. The legs B are united in pairs by the end rails, B', passing through mortises in their upper portion,

Vand the ends of said rails are made to project hinges are secured to the bottom of the tabletop, and to the inner side of the legs with screws, as usual. To the under side of the (No model.)

to receive the tenons b and rigidly retain and l brace the legs in their normal position. The inner side ofthe folding side rails, C, opposite the hinges b and b2, is provided with grooves C2 and C3 to receive the tenons b when the legs l are in a folded position, and hold said legs securely against the bottom of the table-top. The folding side rails, C, are provided on their inner sides with screw eyes or staples d, and secured thereto is a light rod, D, provided with an eye at one end and a hook at the other, by means of which the two sides C are retained together, and also the legs, either in a folded, or in a normal position.

In Fig. 3 the hinges securing the legs B to the table-top are all alike, and two of the legs fold inside of the other. W'hen in their normal position, they are held rigidly by castings E, secured to the inner side of the side rails,V O, by screws, and said castings have mortises C', to receive theltenons projecting from the side of the legs. If desired, these castings may be placed at diagonal corners of the table, and the legs will be arranged correspondingly one outside the other at each end of the table.

When long tables are made, two or more rods, D, are used, one adjacent each end of 8o the table, to brace the sides securely together.

If desired, this folding-table may also be provided with leaves hinged thereto in the usual manner, and castings or cleats may be used in place of the tenons b, formed integral with the end rails, B', uniting the legs in pairs.

I am aware that the side rails of tables have been pivoted in the middle of theirlength to the under side of the top of said table, and made with mortises at each end to receive one of invention,

ICO

C, provided with niortises C', substantially as and for the purpose described.

2. The combination of a tabletop A, its cleats A on the under side thereof, With the legs B, hinged to the under side of the tabletop, and hinges b and b2 of different length, substantially as and for the purpose described.

3. In combination with a table-top, the side rails, C, hinged thereto and provided with mortises C and grooves C2, the hinged legs, screw-eye d, and hook-rod D, substantially as and for the purpose described.

4. In combination with a table top, the side rails, C, hinged thereto, and rnortised castings secured to and projecting from the inner side JOHN DANN ER.

Witnesses: L. M. JONES, LEWIS KooNs. 

